Kendall and Rebecca talk with Christa Howe of Christa's Christmas Tree Farm in Colebrook, NH about the year-round work involved in Christmas tree farming. Christa notes her journey into the business, the long growth cycle of trees, and the importance of both wholesale and retail sales. They discuss seasonal tasks like planting, mowing, shearing, and harvesting, as well as the need for detailed record-keeping and budgeting due to the crop’s long investment period.

Show notes:

Microsoft Excel: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/excel

Google Sheets: https://workspace.google.com/products/sheets/

Quickbooks: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/

Google Earth: https://earth.google.com/web/

John Deere: https://www.deere.com/en/

UNH Cooperative Extension: www.extension.unh.edu

Women in Ag Newsletter signup - https://unhoutreach.tfaforms.net/217751?CID=701G0000001AiKCIA0

Kendall Kunelius – kendall.kunelius@unh.edu

Rebecca Dube – rebecca.dube@unh.edu

Kendall and Rebecca discuss haying in New England, emphasizing the importance of timing and quality. Carl Majewski, a forages and field crop specialist, explains the process of making hay, from mowing to baling, and highlights the significance of cutting grass at the right stage for optimal nutritional value. They discuss the benefits of growing grass in New England, and the importance of soil and hay testing to ensure quality feed. Kendall and Carl note the impact of weather on hay production and the need for proper storage and equipment maintenance.

Show notes:

Carl Majewski: carl.majewski@unh.edu

Sarah Allen, Dairy Production State Specialist: sarah.allen@unh.edu

Some Hay Testing Options:

Dairy One: https://dairyone.com

Cumberland Valley Forage Lab: https://www.foragelab.com/

Equi-Analytical Hay Analysis: https://equi-analytical.com/

NH County Offices providing hay probes for use:

Hillsborough County – Kendall.kunelius@unh.edu

Rockingham County – Jesse.wright@unh.edu

Merrimack County – jessica.descoteaux@unh.edu

Carroll County – Olivia.saunders@unh.edu

Grafton County – heather.bryant@unh.edu

Sullivan County – seth.wilner@unh.edu

Coos County – william.hastings@unh.edu

Hay Testing Video: https://extension.unh.edu/resource/taking-hay-sample-video

Soil Testing Information and resources: https://extension.unh.edu/agriculture-gardens/pest-disease-growing-tools/soil-testing-services

Upcoming Extension workshops: https://extension.unh.edu/events

UNH Cooperative Extension: www.extension.unh.edu

Women in Ag Newsletter signup - https://unhoutreach.tfaforms.net/217751?CID=701G0000001AiKCIA0

Kendall Kunelius – kendall.kunelius@unh.edu

Rebecca Dube – rebecca.dube@unh.edu

Kendall Kunelius and Rebecca Dube discuss the dangers of ticks with Extension Diagnostic Service Program Manager Shyloh Favreau. Shyloh notes that ticks are obligate blood feeders that can transmit diseases like Lyme disease and highlights the increasing tick population in New Hampshire, particularly the black-legged tick, and then advises on personal protection measures such as clothing choices and tick checks. Shyloh also introduces UNH's tick testing service, which identifies and tests ticks for pathogens, providing results within three days. The service aims to help individuals make informed medical decisions post-tick bite.

Show notes:
Shyloh Favreau: shyloh.favreau@unh.edu or 603-862-3200

Biology and Management of Ticks in New Hampshire: https://extension.unh.edu/resource/biology-and-management-ticks-new-hampshire-fact-sheet

Center of Disease Control Ticks page: https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/about/index.html

Permethrin on treated clothing – EPA: https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/repellent-treated-clothing

UNH Extension Tick Testing page: https://extension.unh.edu/tick-testing

Questions on tick testing email address: unh.ccwl@unh.edu

UNH Cooperative Extension: www.extension.unh.edu

Women in Ag Newsletter signup - https://unhoutreach.tfaforms.net/217751?CID=701G0000001AiKCIA0

Kendall Kunelius – kendall.kunelius@unh.edu

Rebecca Dube – rebecca.dube@unh.edu